Hey, Cool Water (MJCC2013)

I knew I would like Hey, Cool Water by Paul Silva (pablatone) when I listened to the first strums of his wonderful acoustic guitar playing in 2011, when it was posted, and it just got better as the song progressed.

Mystical lyrics, a fantastic chorus hook, a wonderful acoustic guitar solo and fine harmonies – it had it all.

Every time it cycled round on my iPod I found myself singing along and thinking, “I really must work this song out on acoustic guitar and add it to my own repertoire...” It is a real “singer’s” song. I defy anyone not to feel an itch to join in on the chorus once you have heard it once or twice.

The 2013 Song Challenge finally gave me the excuse I needed and Paul was generous, enthusiastic with his permission for me to cover the song. Thank you.

And I must say it was harder than I’d imagined to do this fine song anywhere near justice.

I spent quite a few weeks just playing a solo finger style version of the song and even thought about recording it in that format, but, in the end, I felt that that was wimping out in the context of the challenge (and all those challenge posts about multi-layered guitars and 40+ tracks ☺).

Anyway, I still produced a fairly simple arrangement, as is my predilection. Hand made 000 on the left. Philip18’s Howard Roberts Custom on the right and solo. The bass came via my trusty MIDI pencil and the organ and strings via MIDI keyboard (with some pencil editing ☺). I tried to give it quite a live recording feel.

If the outcome is that MJ members go back and listen to Paul’s original version, I will be more than happy.

It was great fun, but, also, more than a touch nerve-racking, taking part.

I have [Am] traded all my gold for a [Em] name of small renown
[F] Sold my very [C] soul for a [Em] paper party crown
I [F] claimed to walk on [C] water while the [Am] tangles dragged me [Dsus2] down
But I have [Am] kissed the face of [Em] God though I was [Am] lacking

[Am] Are those rivers good? Are they [Em] from my heart?
Will they [F] flow like this [C] forever, or in [Em] fits and starts?
If you [F] want then I will [C] test you – [Am] where do they [Dsus2] go?
I thought I [Am] had a premo[Em]nition but I don't [Am] know.

[F] Hey, cool [C] water, I have [F] stumbled here [C] upon you once [Em] again
I've been [F] wasting all my days on the devil's [Am] daughter [Dsus2]
I guess I'm [Am] just another [Em] ordinary [Am] man.

Lead Break

Are those rivers good? Are they from my heart?
Will they flow like this forever, or in fits and starts?
If I had foresight I would tell you all that I saw
Thought I'd had a premonition, now it's gone (so gone)

Hey cool water, I have stumbled here upon you once again
I just wasted all my dreams on the devil's daughter
I guess I'm just another ordinary man

Hey cool water, I have stumbled here upon you once again
I just wasted all my dreams on the devil's daughter
I guess I'm just another ordinary man
I guess I'm just another ordinary man
I am just another ordinary man

Hey, Cool Water (MJCC2013)
Hadn't heard this one before. So I checked out Paul's recording first. He's one of those artists who's work really deserves a listen through his entire catalogue. I need to take some time and dive in. Your description of his version is spot on. In fact his recording is so good it would probable had scared me off.

But you really rose to the challenge. First of all this song was taylor made for your voice. Smooth lead vocal and some truly beautiful harmonies. Nice arrangement. The organ puts an exclamation mark on the bluesy vibe. Nice electric solo. Great mix!

Great song to sing
Glad you checked out Paul's song, Andrew. It is fantastic. I appreciate your kind words re my rendition. It is a great song to sing and I just hoped I was doing it justice. Looking forward to everyone's covers. Thanks. Regards, Peter.

man, thanks so much
For doing this, I love it! Your vocal phrazing is beautiful and you worked the dynamics just right. Nice guitar work too. I am seriously walking on air right now. I am so honored. Thank you again!!

Into my sub-consciousness
Paul, the pleasure is all mine. Your song insinuated itself into my sub-consciousness. I just had to have a go at singing it. So glad you think it was OK. Take care, my friend. Kind regards, Peter.

Wonderful
opening tone on the guitar and a great build into the organ entrance in back, but excellent vocals and harmonies.... I can hear why you wanted to do a version of Pab's song (love his work and sound)..... love the mix you got here Peter..... great song and performance, regards M

Great hook
Glad you thought I did Pab's fine song justice. It has such a great hook that I took to it from the first listen. Thanks for the kudos re the mix. I had to stop myself from tinkering. Take care, Peter.

Hey, Cool Water
I started by going to Pablatones version and got turned on to a song I had never heard ... just before my time here ... that's the beauty of this sort of challenge. I get introduced to songs I probably never would have noticed.
Peter, you have taken a well done song and put your personality into it. That acoustic on the left is wonderful with those hammer on/ offs ... Vocally(you changed the key from the original) fits this song so well, harmonies just the right touch. Love the way you introduce the organ and guitar panned right ... and I listened closely to your bass and it's not overdone .... just the right touch with the right spaces ... air. And that simple lead, melodic and tasty tone ... great job Peter and it all starts with a good song.
Cheers
SG

Resonated
Your comments are very much appreciated, Stan. Great song from Paul. His original just resonated with me. I am just glad I didn't stuff it up, too much. Bit of pressure there, really. Glad you liked the elements of the backer that I put together. Take care, Peter.

Kick Off
You are really kicking off this challenge with a strong submission. First you picked a great song. Then you did a wonderful job singing and playing the song. Your guitar vocal style offer a fresh interpretation of this song. Thanks!

Fair bit of thought
Thanks, Bill. It is a great song. I did have to put a fair bit of thought into coming up with a fresh interpretation that would still hold true to the original. Glad you thought I did that. Take care, Peter.

A
great song to start the cover challenge Peter!
I had not heard the original until now so I had to go listen to that first.
This is well suited for your voice and I love your warm vocals.
Great recording and I love the keys, really nice guitars, especially the solo.
Everything is played and performed so well and you have produced an excellent cover of this superb song.

Very much enjoyed Peter and thanks for helping me to discover this excellent song.

Deserving of a wide audience
Thanks for checking out Paul's original song, Bob. It deserves a wide audience. I appreciate your kind words re my vocals and instrumentation. It all came together in the end, but I was a bit worried at some stages. Take care, Peter.

Great song to sing
Thanks, John. It was a bit more difficult than I thought to cover Paul's fine song. It is a great song to sing solo, acoustic just finger picking but I felt I needed to do a bit more to do it justice. Take care, Peter.

Hey, Cool Water
Wow, what a song! First off, this is smartly written on all accounts and the lyric is especially class. Now, Peter, this is the best I've heard from you performance wise, you nail it. I also like the drumless approach taken on this, definitely draws the focus to lyric and guitar. Very well done.

Fine songs
Thanks, Tim. I agree, Paul has written some very fine songs and I'm glad I didn't muck this one up too much. It is a great song to play and sing. I appreciate the kudos re the vocals. Take care, Peter.

Polished performance
This sounds great even on my iBook speakers. Excellent guitar and a nice mix with the organ. The vocals sound "ordinary" in a good way, and the lead guitar sits well with the rest of it. No missteps here.Job well done.

Back in town...
Thanks, Graham. Glad you liked my rendition of pablatone's great song. I have been away fishing for a number of days :-) and am just back so I am a bit late in replying. I need to do some catch up listening as well. Kind regards, Peter.

Thanks
Thanks, Harald. Glad you liked my rendition of pablatone's great song. I have been away fishing for a number of days :-) and am just back so I am a bit late in replying. I need to do some catch up listening as well. Kind regards, Peter.

Bit late...
Thanks, Karen. Glad you liked my rendition of pablatone's great song. I have been away fishing for a number of days :-) and am just back so I am a bit late in replying. I need to do some catch up listening as well. Kind regards, Peter.

Thanks
Thanks, Sig. Glad you liked my rendition of pablatone's great song. I have been away fishing for a number of days :-) and am just back so I am a bit late in replying. I need to do some catch up listening as well. Kind regards, Peter.

Sweet
Tell me more about the handmade guitar - what luthier? It's lovely! I really enjoyed the arrangement! the picking is beautiful; the bass part you managed is essential and effective. If you're looking for a live feel; I might suggest takign the time to make sure that the reverb palette is uniform across all the instruments; so they are more uniformly on one stage. The acousting parts are fairly dry and upfront, the vocals more saturated; and the lead guitar even more so, with a different profile. Now, as a "studio" recording, the choices you made work just fine, and it is a cohesive and solid blend, nothing fighting anything else for space; but you did mention you were shooting for a live "feel"; and there are things you can do in post production to obtain that feel. Anyway, it's a lovely song. I'll need to go hear the original!

My acoustic
Thanks, Phil. Glad you liked my rendition of pablatone's great song. I have been away fishing for a number of days :-) and am just back so I am a bit late in replying. I need to do some catch up listening as well. I made the acoustic guitar from scratch myself at a luthier school here in Melbourne. It has all Australian tone woods (Tasmanian Blackwood, Queensland Maple, Bunya Pine, Gidgee and Huon Pine inlays). It is fantastic tp play. I appreciate your help re the reverb as well. Kind regards, Peter.

Aces :-)
Thanks, Vic. Glad you liked my rendition of pablatone's great song. I have been away fishing for a number of days :-) and am just back so I am a bit late in replying. I need to do some catch up listening as well. Kind regards, Peter.

This room full of muscians is way more extensive than I could have imagined,,,,
Lovely!!! Love it all, the music, composition and especially the lyrics ~ and your description just blew mw away! Awakenings always take their own sweet time.... Namaste...... Yin/Yang.... Harmony is a hard won and sacred gift..... devil's daughter?!.... hmmmm... lal (laughing A little)...." tread lightly on these hearts of women, love." Ha! tongue in cheek reference to an old 'Kentucky Headhunters' song ~ "Walk Softly on this heart of mine, Luv!" (I'm smilin'~ cantcha tell?) . Maybe the concept of "E- Harmony.com" is not so "Out O' Whack" ~ compatibility first ~ hormones later..... Sorry, Sir. In a bit of a silly and yet melancholy mood this star crossed near midnight moment in time...... Ordinary men are good people. : ) for the most part.... : ) As long as they don't burp in public, or 'break wind' in intimate moments between the sheets, (now I'm laughing! Sorry Dear! ~ Just in one of those oppositional humorous moods tonight. But this comment will be so far down the list that I doubt you will even know I left this late to the party comment. chuckle! Left most of this comment for the originator also.... Love your rendition! You have a lovely singing voice, Peter. : )

I did get here... eventually
Thanks, Carole. Glad you liked my rendition of pablatone's great song. I have been away fishing for a number of days :-) and am just back so I am a bit late in replying. I appreciate your support and eclectic comments. Kind regards, Peter.

Thanks
Thanks, Patty. Glad you liked my rendition of pablatone's great song. I have been away fishing for a number of days :-) and am just back so I am a bit late in replying. I need to do some catch up listening as well. Kind regards, Peter.

Hey cool water
Good one, Peter. Crisp guitars and warm vocal (including the harmonies, which fill things out nicely). The organ is a good touch too. Great tone to the guitar solo! Excellent work that provides a fine interpretation of Paul's song.

Talk soon
Thanks, Philip. Your holiday photos have looked great. Glad you thought this turned out OK. I know you liked Paul's original version as much as I did. The HR got a run again so it shouldn't feel too neglected.... You don't really want it back, do you? 😉 Catch up soon, Peter.

Paul has some great posts
although I've missed many more than I've found. You've done a nice version of this Peter, and yes, it really suits your style. You sure do like water don't you!
From a mix point of view, I reckon the keys and the lead could come down a few dB, and the harmony maybe up a tad. I found the keys a bit of a distraction, but you know that I like a more minimalist approach these days. Fantastic song from Paul and a great performance.
Cheers from "up north" - hey, we should do a song together soon ;)
Neil

Thanks
Thanks, Neil. Paul does write some very fine songs and I'm glad I managed to do it some justice. I appreciate your comments on the mix. I did change the level on the keys a number of times. They are slightly more or less prominent depending on whether I listen through monitors or headphones. I will tweak a bit. Yes, let's do another song :-) Talk soon, Peter.

Hey, Cool Water (MJCC2013)
Nicely done Peter.I just went and listened to the original and you captured the soul and made it your own.Glad you chose this one cause I missed it the first time around and got a double treat with both versions today.Much enjoyed.

Love this Pete!
I noticed the lead vocals drop way down at :34 where you sing "But I have [Am] kissed the face of [Em] God though I was [Am] lacking" I drops way down in comparisson to the phrase before that. Love the harmonies!

Keeping it alive
Great job keeping this music alive! Really nice sounding track. It is so cool that you have listened to this song for son long and now brought it to life. Great song. Great story. Thanks for sharing this.